Live Cricket Score: RR vs LSG, Match 26, IPL 2023

Even as LSG were handicapped with an additional fielder inside the ring in the last over, Avesh Khan held his nerves to help his side to a 10-run win in a contest where they always seemed to be behind the eight ball. Avesh returned three wickets but it was Stonis's all-round effort that stood out in LSG's fourth win of the season. The all-rounder backed up his 16-ball 21 with bowling returns of 2 for 28. Despite the loss in their first Jaipur game, Rajasthan Royals continue to top the points table. However, LSG are only marginally behind at the moment.

2 WICKETS IN 2 BALLS Devdutt Padikkal edges to the 'keeper, Dhruv Jurel caught at long on. Has Avesh Khan ended the contest? 14 needed in 2 balls!

Despite getting hit for a six, Naveen ul Haq has bowled a terrific penultimate over. 19 needed off the last over now!

After three excellent overs, Marcus Stonis gets smashed for three boundaries in his final over by Devdutt Padikkal.29 needed in the last two overs.Rajasthan Royals have made it tough for themselves, but can they win it from here?

Buttler OUT!Second wicket for Marcus Stoinis! What a fine all-round performance this has been! Anyone else underplaying the role of 'bits-and-pieces- cricketers?

Another wicket!A brief mix up between Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler leads to the former finding himself short and getting run out while attempting a quick single. This contest can get tricky from here.93/2 in 12.4 overs

WICKET A much-needed breakthrough for Lucknow Super Giants. Marcus STonis strikes. Yashasvi Jaiswal cuts to the fielder at short third. Avesh Khan takes a good catch but hurts his fingers and has stepped off the field. 87/1 in 11.3 overs

Lucknow Super Giants don't have many answers to break this opening partnership. Barring one dropped catch at short third, offering Yashasvi Jaiswal a life, there hasn't been much threat posed by the visitors. 81 for no loss in 11 overs

PowerPlay - 47/0

A steady start for Rajasthan Royals in chase of what seems a sub-par total. LSG need wickets and quickly to force the pace of the game, but they can take heart into the middle-overs because of a rarity they've achieved - of keeping Jos Buttler down to 15 off 19. At one stage it was 5 off 14. To pose tough questions for the home team's swashbuckler is a good start in search of breakthroughs. Middle-overs should bring more tangible success.

R Ashwin says it's not a pitch where scoring is easy in the first innings. But if dew does set in, it should become easy for the Rajasthan Royals batters

Sandeep Sharma bowled a good last over, but Lucknow Super Giants managed to post 153 for 6, courtesy a late surge by Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis. However, tight spells by R Ashwin and Trent Boult played a massive part in ensuring that Rajasthan Royals are chasing a below par score.

6.4.0.4.1.2. - Nicholas Pooran, who had struggled to get going early on in his innings, has taken apart Jason Holder in the penultimate over to help LSG pick up their scoring rate. A much-needed late blast.

LSG are falling apart. Deepak Hooda holes out to deep mid wicket, Kyle Mayers is cleaned up, LSG have been reduced to 104 for 4 in the 14th over. But finally Nicholas Pooran is out in the middle. They desperately need a move on.

WICKETThe Ayush Badoni experiment doesn't work for LSG! Looking to play a lap shot, he gets cleaned up by Trent Boult, who had returned to bowl his last over. Good returns for the pacer4-1-16-1

WICKETNot third time lucky, Rahul. Just when it seemed like KL Rahul and Kyle Mayers were picking up pace, courtesy some big hits in the last couple of overs, Rahul has been caught holing out in the deep. Jos Buttler with the catch, Jason Holder with the wicket. 82/1 in 10.4 overs

FIFTY PARTNERSHIP Kyle Mayers and KL Rahul have stitched a half-century stand. But the approach they are taking - minimal risks - only seems to be harming their team at the moment. They have taken 46 balls to reach this mark. All wickets still in hand

POWERPLAYOnly 37 runs were scored in the first six overs. This is the lowest powerplay score this season when no wicket has fallen. KL Rahul continues to be awfully slow, scoring a run-a-ball 19 in this period. His partner, Kyle Mayers, is going even slower. 16 runs from 18 balls.

DROPPED AGAINThis time by Jason Holder, with Rahul batting on 12. The big West Indian made it tougher for himself, settling under the ball while running backwards.

DROPPEDKL Rahul has been dropped on 6 by Yashasvi Jaiswal at cover! As easy an a catching opportunity as he will get. Will this prove costly for RR?

The early magic of Boult: There is just a bit of movement on offer and Trent Boult is making it difficult for the LSG openers to get going. He hasn't picked up an early wicket, but he has bowled 11 dot deliveries in his first two overs!

Trent Boult with the new ball. KL Rahul ready to take the strike!

TOSS: Rajasthan Royals have won the toss and elected to field. Jason Holder has come in place of Adam Zampa.

Teams:

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c/wk), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jason Holder, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): KL Rahul (c), Kyle Mayers, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Ayush Badoni, Naveen-ul-Haq, Avesh Khan, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Ravi Bishnoi

Lucknow Super Giants Subs: Amit Mishra, Jaydev Unadkat, Krishnappa Gowtham, Prerak Mankad, Daniel Sams

Rajasthan Royals Subs: Devdutt Padikkal, Murugan Ashwin, Donavon Ferreira, Navdeep Saini, Akash Vasisht

While we wait for the toss to begin, you can check out our match preview for the game: Royals brace for homecoming after confident start

BUILD UP:

Hello and welcome to Match 26 of the Indian Premier League 2023, set to be played between Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants, in Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium, which is to host its maiden game this season. Nonetheless, despite not playing at their (first) home ground so far this season, Royals have topped the points table with some convincing performances, with both bat and ball. The conditions are unlikely to favour spinners as much, and might have to opt out of their three-spinner ploy.

But there are ample resources in their team to cover for all conditions. So does Lucknow Super Giants, who have had a decent start - but would want to improve on their performances.

We will be bringing you the live updates from the RR vs LSG match. You can join in as well with your views and questions. Tweet to us using #CricbuzzQnV